Display device and electrical conductors therefor

ABSTRACT

A compact visual display device having crossed arrays suitable for flush mounting comprising a display assembly having a first light-transmitting grid structure and a second grid structure with an electrically luminescent medium therebetween, each grid structure having a base of electrically insulative material and a conductive side of the base containing two sets of parallel, elongated, electrical-conductive, electrical-individual elements, each set extending partially across the conductive side from opposing sides of said conductive side, the first and second grid structures are disposed such that the sets of elongated elements in the first grid structure is normal to the sets of elongated elements in said second grid structure, the electrical connection for the display device is provided by an electrical connector for each set of conductors that comprises a body of electrically insulative material having a rectangular contact surface and two rectangular bearing surfaces at right angles to and extending from opposite edges of the contact surface and in an opposite direction thereto. U-shaped clamps hold the connectors, grid members and the electrically luminescent medium in a fixed relationship wherein edges of the grid members are in abutment with the appropriate bearing surface of the connector. The electrical connection is established by a resilient electrically conductive contact member bearing against each elongated member in said grid structures. The electrical connectors have a dimension that is normal to the contact surface that is equal to the sum of the thickness of each grid structure and the luminescent medium therebetween.

United States Patent Johnson et al.

[54] DISPLAY DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS THEREFOR [721' Inventors:Richard E. Johnson, Sugar Grove; Paul R.

Natale, Warren, both of Pa.

[ 73] 'Assignee: Sylvania Electric Products Inc. [22] Filed: May 11,1970

[21] Appl. No.: 36,183

[52] US. Cl. ..3l3/108B, 339/17 LM, 339/75 MP,

339/176 MP [51] Int. Cl ..I-I0lj l/62, HOlj 63/04, H0514 1/02 [58] FieldofSearch ..313/51, 108 R, 108 A, 108 B,

313/108 C, 318, 109.5; 339/17 R, 17 L, 17 F, 17 LC, l7'LM, 17 M, 75 MP,176 MP, 176 MP, 241, 217, 218,99, 174,59 M; 317/10] R, 101 D, 101 DH,101 F; 174/685 Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Novosad AssistantExaminer-Terrell {Lewis 1151 3 ,638,033 Jan. 25, 1972 Attorney-Norman J.OMalley, Donald R. Castle and William H. McNeill [5 7] ABSTRACT Acompact visual display device having crossed arrays suitable for flushmounting comprising a display assembly having a first light-transmittinggrid structure and a second grid structure with an electricallyluminescent medium therebetwecn, each grid structure having a base ofelectrically insulative material and a conductive side of the basecontaining two sets of parallel, elongated, electrical-conductive,electrical-individual elements, each set extending partially across theconductive side from opposing sides of said conductive side, the firstand second grid structures are disposed such that the sets of elongatedelements in the first grid structure is normal to the sets of elongatedelements in said second grid structure, the electrical connection forthe display device is provided by an electrical connector for each setof conductors that comprises a body of electrically insulative materialhaving a rectangular contact surface and two rectangular bearingsurfaces at right angles to and extending from opposite edges of thecontact surface and in an opposite direction thereto. U-shaped clampshold the connectors, grid members and the electrically luminescentmedium in a fixed relationship wherein edges of the grid members are inabutment with the appropriate bearing surface of the connector. Theelectrical connection is established by a resilient electricallyconductive contact member bearing against each elongated member in saidgrid structures. The electrical connectors have a dimension that isnormal to the contact surface that is equal to the sum of the thicknessof each grid structure and the luminescent medium therebetween.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJANZSIWZ 3,638,033

sum 1 BF 2 INVENTORS. KICHARD E. JOHNSON &

PAUL R. NATALIE Da-v- ATTOR N EY M'HiMIFUJmmmurz 3.638.033

sum 2 or 2 qr; 74 79 :l

76 i ZM BG:

INVENTORS. RICHARD E.JOHN5ON &

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a compact displaydevice and to electrical connectors for the display device.

Various forms of crossed arrays are known. In general, these devicesutilize crossed electrical conductive members by energizing twoparticular conductors the point at which the conductors cross aluminescent media is subjected to the desired excitation thereby causingluminescence at that point. By the proper sequence of energizing theconductors a display appears to the eye in the form of pictures,numbers, etc. Numerous cathode ray-type devices supply the same type ofdisplay, however, these are generally rather bulky and require panelsthat have considerable depth. As can be appreciated the display deviceshaving cross-electrical conductors occupy less space, however, thedevices have heretofore generally had problems with the electricalconnectors. Connectors heretofore used have had one or moredisadvantages such as the connector had a dimension greater than thedevice thus preventing flush mounting. Also, some of the electricalconnectors had contacts that established electrical contact by slidingover OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of thisinvention to play device having crossed arrays.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a compactdisplay device that can be flush mounted in a supporting panel.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electricalconnection for a display device having crossed arrays.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided animproved visual display device having crossed arrays that comprisesfirst and second grid structures and a luminescent medium therebetween,said structures comprising a base of electrically insulative materialand a first and a second set of parallel elongatedelectrical-conductive, electrical-individual elements on a conductiveside of the base. The first and second sets extend from opposing edgesand partially across the conductive side, the first structure is lighttransmitting and has a viewing side opposite to the conductive side andis oriented so that the sets of elongated elements are normal to theelements in the second grid structure and positioned in opposingrelation thereto but spaced therefrom and electrically luminescentmedium positioned between the first and second grid structures.Electrical connection is established to each elongated member byelectrical connectors that each comprise a body of electrical insulativematerial having a rectangular contact surface and two rectangularbearing surfaces each at right angles to and extending from oppositeedges of the contact surface and in opposite directions thereto. Thecontact surface has two spaced pads of compressible pads and a pluralityof resilient contact members between the pads for providing electricalconnection to each of the individual elongated elements. The body of theconnector is adapted for frictionally engaging a U-shaped clamp thatfrictionally engages the body of said connector and one of the gridstructures and holds these structures in a fixed relationship and inelectrical contact with the corresponding connector and the surfaces ofthe structure are in an abutting relationship to the bearing surfaces ineach connector. The electrical connector has the dimension that isnormal to the contact surface that is equal to the sum of the thicknessof the first and second grid structures and the luminescent mediumtherebetween thereby providing a flush-type mounting. Addiprovide animproved distionally in a preferred embodiment the connector is adaptedwith channels for electrical leads that enable all of the leads toextend in a direction opposite to the viewing side of the displaydevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric viewof the display device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an assembled display device of thisinvention; 7

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of thisinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the display device ofthis invention illustrating the relationship of the grid structures,connector and U-shaped clamp.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand further objects, advantages, and capabilities thereof, reference ismade to the following disclosure and appended claims in connection withthe above-described drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In particular reference to FIG.1, there is shown the display device 10 unassembled. A first gridstructure 12 comprises a base 14 of an electrically insulative material,such as a transparent glass, plastic or the like, a first set ofparallel elongated, electrically conductive elements 16, such as wires,strips or the like, extending from one edge 18 of the conductive sidepartially across and from opposing edges of the base 14. A preferredmaterial is gold strips upon a glass base. A second set of similarelongated elements 20 extend from edge 22 of the base 14. A second gridstructure 24 also comprising a base 26, a first set of elongated members28 that extend from one edge 30 partially across the base 26. The firstgrid structure 12 is light transmitting and the second grid structure 24can be either light transmitting, translucent or opaque. A second set ofelongated members 32 extend from the opposite edge 34 of the base 26partially across the base 26. A luminescent medium 36 can be either aphosphor or a plasma-containing media and is of the same general shapeas the two grid structures 12 and 24. The first and second gridstructures 12 and 24 are provided electrical connections by identicalconnectors 38, 40, 42 and 44. Connector 42 best illustrates each of theconnectors. The connectors comprise a rectangular contact surface 46,bearing surfaces 48 and 49 (better illustrated as 50 and 51 on connector40) that are at right angles to the contact surface and extend in fromopposite edges of the contact surface and in opposite direction thereto.Resilient contact members 52 extend from the contact surface 46providing electrical connection to each elongated member 20 when thedisplay device 10 is assembled. Two compressible pads 53 and 54 arespaced apart on contact surface 46. If desired, the compressible pads 53and 54 can also have a pressure sensitive adhesive on the surfacethereof to further insure proper retention of the device when assembled.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 2, the first and second gridstructures 12 and 24 are shown in assembled position. The connectors 38,40, 42, and 44 provide electrical contact. U-shaped clamps 56, 58, 60,62, 64, 66, 68 and 70, hold the connectors 38, 40, 42, and 44 in fixedposition and in electrical connection with grid structures 12 and 24.The dimension A" of the connector that is normal to the contact surface46 is equal to the sum of the thickness of each of the grid structuresl2 and 24 and the electrical luminescent medium (not shown). Theexternal surfaces of the connectors 38, 40, 42, and 44 when the deviceis assembled are essentially in the same plane as the external surfacesof the grid structures 12 and 24 thereby enabling flush mounting of thedisplay device 10 in a supporting panel (not shown).

Referring now in particular to FIG. 3, that shows a cross section of atypical electrical connector 38 of this invention. The body 74 ofinsulative material has a contact surface 76 and a first bearing surface78 and a second bearing surface 79 that are at right angles to thecontact surface 76, and extend from opposite directions and fromopposite edges. A resilient contact member 80 is adapted at one end 82for contact with an electrical conductor (not shown) and at the otherend 84 is connected to an electrical lead 86. The lead 86 can extend ineither of two directions depending upon the desired mounting in afinished display device. Although the connector has been described inrelation to a particular crossed array display device, its use is not solimited. The connector of this invention can be used in any applicationwhere flush mounting of an electrical connector is desired and edgecontact is suitable.

Referring in greater particularlity to H0. 4, there is shown a crosssection of a portion of the assembled display device 10. The connector38 is held in fixed position with relationship to the second gridstructure 24 by the U-shaped clamp 62. A second U-shaped clamp 60, notshown, but previously described is also used in conjunction with theclamp 62 shown. The resilient contact member 80 is held in an upwardposition and bears upon and is in electrical contact with one of theelongated members 32 of the grid structure 24. The U-shaped clamp 62 isin frictional engagement with the body of the connector 74 and thesecond grid structure 24. The first and second grid structures 12 and 24bear against the first and second bearing surfaces 78 and 79 of theconnector 38 thus providing a compact and flush assembly device, sincethe dimension B which is normal to the contact surface 76 is equal tothe thickness of first and second grid members 12 and 24 and theluminescent medium 36.

While there have been shown and described what are at present consideredthe preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector suitable for flush mounting on acircuit-containing device comprising a body of electrical-insulativematerial having a rectangular contact surface and first and secondrectangular bearing surfaces each at right angles to and extending fromopposite edges from said contact surface and in opposite directionsthereto, said contact surface having at least two spaced-apartcompressible pads and a plurality of resilient contact members betweensaid pad and said body is adapted for frictionally engaging at least twoU-shaped clamps that are adapted for holding said connector inelectrical connection with said device and wherein surfaces of saiddevice are in abutment with said first and second bearing surfaces.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said body ofsaid connector has channels for electrical leads to enable said leads toextend in a direction away from a viewing surface on an assembly displaydevice.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 2 wherein said body is anelongated L-shaped block of electrically insulative material.

4. An electrical connector according to claim 3 wherein said pads have apressure sensitive adhesive on the surface thereof.

5. A visual display device having crossed arrays suitable for flushmounting said device comprising:

a. a display assembly comprising first and second grid structures thateach comprise a base of an electrically insulative material and a firstand a second set of parallel elongated, electrical-conductive,electrical-individual elements on a conductive side of said base, saidfirst and second sets extending partially across said conductive sidefrom opposing edges of said side, said first grid structure being lighttransmitting and having a viewing side opposite to said conductive sideand having said sets of elongated elements oriented normal to theelements of said second grid structure and positioned in opposingrelation thereto but spaced therefrom and an electrically lummescentmedium positioned between said first and second grid structures,

b. a pair of electrical connectors for each of said first and secondgrid structures, each connector comprising a body ofelectrical-insulative material having a rectangular contact surface andtwo rectangular bearing surfaces at right angles to and extending fromopposite edges of the contact surface and in opposite directionsthereto, said contact surface having two spaced-apart, compressible padsand a plurality of resilient electrical-conductive members positionedbetween said pads, in individual contact with the individual elongatedelements in said grid structures, and

c. at least two U-shapcd clamps for said electrical connector infrictional engagement with said body of said connector and with one ofsaid grid structures whereby an electrical connection between saidresilient contact and said elongated elements are maintained andsurfaces of said grid structures are maintained in an abuttingrelationship to said bearing surfaces in each connector, said connectorhaving the dimension that is normal to the contact surface that is equalto the sum of the thickness of the first and second grid structures andthe luminescent medium therebetween to provide surfaces of saidconnector that are flush with said viewing side of said first gridstructure.

6. A display device according to claim 5 wherein said grid structurebases are transparent glass.

7. A display device according to claim 6 wherein said connector haschannels for electrical leads to enable said leads to extend in adirection away from a viewing surface on an assembly display device.

8. A display device according to claim 7 wherein said connector saidbody is an elongated L-shaped block of electrically insulative material.

9. A display device according to claim 8 wherein said connector saidpads have a pressure sensitive adhesive on the surface thereof.

10. A display device according to claim 9 wherein said parallelelongated elements are gold strips.

1. An electrical connector suitable for flush mounting on acircuit-containing device comprising a body of electrical insulativematerial having a rectangular contact surface and first and secondrectangular bearing surfaces each at right angles to and extending fromopposite edges from said contact surface and in opposite directionsthereto, said contact surface having at least two spaced apartcompressible pads and a plurality of resilient contact members betweensaid pads and said body is adapted for frictionally engaging at leasttwo U-shaped clamps that are adapted for holding said connector inelectrical connection with said device and wherein surfaces of saiddevice are in abutment with said first- and second-bearing surfaces. 2.An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said body of saidconnector has channels for electrical leads to enable said leads toextend in a direction away from a viewing surface on an assembly displaydevice.
 3. An electrical connector according to claim 2 wherein saidbody is an elongated L-shaped block of electrically insulative material.4. An electrical connector according to claim 3 wherein said pads have apressure sensitive adhesive on the surface thereof.
 5. A visual displaydevice having crossed arrays suitable for flush mounting said devicecomprising: a. a display assembly comprising first and second gridstructures that each comprise a base of an electrically insulativematerial and a first and a second set of parallel elongated, electricalconductive, electrical-individual elements on a conductive side of saidbase, said first and second sets extending partially across saidconductive side from opposing edges of said side, said first gridstructure being light-transmitting and having a viewing side opposite tosaid conductive side and having said sets of elongated elements orientednormal to the elements of said second grid structure and positioned inopposing relation thereto but spaced therefrom and an electricallyluminescent medium positioned between said first and second gridstructures, b. a pair of electrical connectors for each of said firstand second grid structures, each connector comprising a body ofelectrical-insulative material having a rectangular contact surface andtwo rectangular bearing surfaces at right angles to and extending fromopposite edges of the contact surface and in opposite directionsthereto, said contact surface having two spaced apart, compressible padsand a plurality of resilient electrical conductive members positionedbetween said pads, in individual contact with the individual elongatedelements in said grid structures, and c. at least two U-shaped clampsfor said electrical connector in frictional engagement with said body ofsaid connector and with one of said grid structures whereby anelectrical connection between said resilient contact and said elongatedelements are maintained and surfaces of said grid structures aremaintained in an abutting relationship to said bearing surfaces in eachconnector, said connector having the dimension that is normal to thecontact surface that is equal to the sum of the thickness of the firstand second grid structures and the luminescent medium therebetween toprovide surfaces of said connector that are flush with said viEwing sideof said first grid structure.
 6. A display device according to claim 5wherein said grid structure bases are transparent glass.
 7. A displaydevice according to claim 6 wherein said connector has channels forelectrical leads to enable said leads to extend in a direction away froma viewing surface on an assembly display device.
 8. A display deviceaccording to claim 7 wherein said connector said body is an elongatedL-shaped block of electrically insulative material.
 9. A display deviceaccording to claim 8 wherein said connector said pads have a pressuresensitive adhesive on the surface thereof.
 10. A display deviceaccording to claim 9 wherein said parallel elongated elements are goldstrips.